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Romero taking time with strained oblique

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By Greg Johns
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MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mariners infielder Stefen Romero said Saturday he'll be taking it "week-by-week" after straining his left oblique muscle Friday while striking out during Seattle's rain-canceled game against the A's.

Romero, 24, didn't offer a specific time frame, but those type of injuries to the stomach muscles are problematic for baseball players and will likely sideline him at least the rest of Spring Training.

Romero had gone 4-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBIs a day earlier against the Royals, but was removed from Friday's game immediately after swinging through an off-speed pitch for a third strike in his first at-bat against Oakland's A.J. Griffin.

"It was so surreal, going from cloud nine to just the bottom," Romero said. "But I just have to take it day-by-day and just continue to get better every day and just focus on positive thoughts. Everything happens for a reason."

But Romero acknowledged it would likely be more than a matter of days before his return.

"You don't want to rush these things because it's vital, especially as a baseball player because you produce so much torque with running and hitting and throwing," he said. "If you rush it too soon, you're back at ground zero. So I just need to rest."

Manager Eric Wedge declined to put a time on Romero's potential absence.

"We're not sure yet," Wedge said. "We'll continue to see how he feels as he progresses through this week. It's going to be a little while. I had a good conversation with him today. It's tough for a young man to go through something like that, but we've all had to do it.

"Like I told him, it's just a bump in the road. The guy does everything he could to prepare, he's in great shape, great attitude, great persona and a good baseball player. He was probably coming off the best baseball day he's had at this level, so it's unfortunate. But he'll be back sooner than later."